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So I decided that indexed shifting is not for me. I picked up a pair of Kelly Take Off downtube shifter brackets (which effectively mount downtube shifters to the handlebars).

The only shifters I can find in my parts box don't have the backing plate thing, which may or may not have been integrated with the half-moon shaped washer thing. Spending $50 on new DT shifters isn't in the game plan, neither is spending $20 on old shifters. I plan on running these shifters in friction mode only...do I need the backing plates? It seems like they were only necessary for indexed shifting but I'm not sure. Can I just substitute a washer in its stead? Thanks in advance.

You can flatten the "half moon" shape on the back of the backing plates with a file or a piece of coarse sandpaper laid flat or, best of all, a belt sander. That's how Chris Kelly makes them. The real backing plates work best and modifying them is pretty easy.

I put a set of Kelly Take-offs on my rain bike using Shimano 7-speed indexed dt shifters and they are the next best thing to STI/Ergo.

Better hurry; there's a posting on the cyclocross forum that states that Kelly is going out of business and selling off existing inventory. Glad I got my Take-Offs when i did.
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That's true but he will be around through June so you can still contact him and parts should be available from the liquidator or new owner for some time. BTW, here is the press release quoted from his web site:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 5/2/06

NEVADA CITY CA – Recognized worldwide as a high-end production steel bicycle frame manufacturer, Kelly Bike Company LLC decides to call it quits.

Kelly will continue to take orders for any “in stock” items until Friday, May 19th, 2006. Those last orders are estimated to ship by Friday June 16th, 2006, or once the last order is completed. Kelly will no longer take orders for any custom frame builds or assemblies.

If a person wants that special color & decal combination, or the popular “clear over decal” upgrade, this will be the last chance to get it like you like it. After the last order is completed and shipped the operation will be dismantled and every last item will be sold i.e. unfinished frames, tooling, equipment, raw materials, etc.

All remaining assets of the LLC will be sold on site and via online auction.

Anyone interested in purchasing the assets of the LLC feel free to give Chris & Robin a call at 530-470-8500 or via email chris@kellybike.com .